1 Creating a Responsive Environment Creating a Responsive Environment For Infants and Toddlers For Infants and Toddlers Pre-Service Training September 11, 2013

2 Question What are some key components that must be considered when setting up an infant or toddler environment ?

3 Key Concepts 1. Ensure Safety 2. Promote Health 3. Provide Comfort 5. Be Child Size 6. Maximize Flexibility 7. Encourage Movement 8. Provide Choices 9. Maximize Space 10. Acknowledges family

Activity Read scenario and share Group 1 - Scenario Group 1 - Scenario Group 2 - Scenario Group 2 - Scenario Group 3 - Scenario Group 3 - Scenario 4

How did the environment in each of the scenarios affect your feelings and behavior? 5

Anxious Confused Nervous Scared Insecure Uncomfortable Angry Disappointed Not Safe 6

7 How does the environment affects childrens learning and behavior? If you create a well defined, clean, safe, nurturing, pleasant, and well organized, environment that welcomes families and addresses the needs, interests, and growing abilities of infants and toddlers, it will positively affect their behavior, encourage exploration, performance and life long learning.

8 How would this environment make children feel?

Negative Environment If your environment is not clean/healthy disorganized, unsafe, and messy, it will create chaos, cause misbehavior, anxiety, mistrust, fear, and disinterest in learning. If your environment is not clean/healthy disorganized, unsafe, and messy, it will create chaos, cause misbehavior, anxiety, mistrust, fear, and disinterest in learning. 9

10 Whats wrong with these pictures? How would this environment make children feel?

11 Safe Environments have: Developmentally appropriate equipment made of non-toxic materials Developmentally appropriate equipment made of non-toxic materials Stable shelves, objects and fixtures with rounded corner Stable shelves, objects and fixtures with rounded corner Steps toddlers can use to reach changing tables/sinks Steps toddlers can use to reach changing tables/sinks Covered outlets Covered outlets Non-chocking toys/materials Non-chocking toys/materials

12 Look out for potential hazards such as: Slippery floors Slippery floors Sharp edges Sharp edges Unstable shelves Unstable shelves Chipped paint Chipped paint Uncovered electrical outlets Uncovered electrical outlets Loose pieces of tiles Loose pieces of tiles Choking hazards Choking hazards Long Cords Long Cords As soon as a baby starts crawling, you can count on the fact that s/he will discover every hidden danger in the environment. That means his/her caregivers need to discover those hidden dangers first and eliminate them.

Space-Planning Guidelines C.C p. 40 Arrange the room so that all children can be seen at all times Arrange the room so that all children can be seen at all times Identify space for each of the routines and experiences Identify space for each of the routines and experiences Organize the room efficiently Organize the room efficiently Clearly define spaces that need protection (floor spaces) Clearly define spaces that need protection (floor spaces) Establish traffic patterns and pathways with low dividers Establish traffic patterns and pathways with low dividers Locate active areas away from quiet areas Locate active areas away from quiet areas Choose floor surfaces Choose floor surfaces Include places for adults Include places for adults Create a variety of levels for infants, toddlers and twos to explore Create a variety of levels for infants, toddlers and twos to explore Provide light from a variety of resources Provide light from a variety of resources

Daily Schedule with pictorials 14 Whats wrong with this picture?

Diapering and Toileting 15 Remove poster

16 BeforeAfter Whats wrong with these pictures?

Sleeping Area 17

18 Whats wrong with these pictures?

Interest Areas 19

Design spaces that accommodate childrens developmental needs, abilities, and interests. 20

21 Displaying Materials Store toys and materials in the area where they will be used more often Store toys and materials in the area where they will be used more often Display toys so children can see what is available and choose what they want Display toys so children can see what is available and choose what they want Use picture and word labels on the containers and shelves Use picture and word labels on the containers and shelves Rotate materials regularly Rotate materials regularly Hang pictures, unbreakable mirrors, and interesting toys where children can see and touch them Hang pictures, unbreakable mirrors, and interesting toys where children can see and touch them

Materials must be organized and displayed thoughtfully with childrens strengths and interests in mind, the children are more likely to use and care for them. Whats wrong with this picture?

The arrangement of the physical environment sends powerful messages to children and families. It affects how children learn, feel and behave. 23

24 Child-Size Tables and chairs that are small and low Tables and chairs that are small and low 24 shelves so children can see and reach toys. 24 shelves so children can see and reach toys. Mirrors and pictures at childs height. Mirrors and pictures at childs height. Easels at toddlers eye level, 10 – 14 off ground. Easels at toddlers eye level, 10 – 14 off ground. Guide to selection of age appropriate Guide to selection of age appropriate tables and chairs tables and chairs Age Chair Height Table Height months 5 ½ chair 12 Height 18 – 24 months 6 ½ chair 13 Height 30 – 36 months 7 ½ chair 14 height

25 Match furniture and materials to the size of the children

26 Ways to maximize flexibility for infants and toddlers: Keep the middle of the room open so it can be changed from day to day as needed Keep the middle of the room open so it can be changed from day to day as needed Have equipment that is easy to move Have equipment that is easy to move Store a variety of toys, materials, and equipment in a convenient place Store a variety of toys, materials, and equipment in a convenient place Vary the use of an area, such as the eating/napping area Vary the use of an area, such as the eating/napping area Have toys and equipment available Have toys and equipment available Use risers that can stand alone ready to move Use risers that can stand alone ready to move

27 Flexible Equipment

28 Areas to Encourage Movement Include the following to encourage movement: Open pathways for crawling Open pathways for crawling Steps to climb on Steps to climb on Surfaces with a variety of textures Surfaces with a variety of textures Tunnels to crawl through Tunnels to crawl through Play pits Play pits Pads for tummy time Pads for tummy time Balance beams Balance beams Carpet risers Carpet risers Lofts Lofts Age appropriate outdoor playground equipment for outdoor play Age appropriate outdoor playground equipment for outdoor play

29

30 Setting up Specific Areas Entrance and parent communication area Entrance and parent communication area Learning and development centers Learning and development centers Meeting/carpet Area Meeting/carpet Area Multi level areas Multi level areas Sleep/napping area Sleep/napping area Feeding/Eating Area Feeding/Eating Area Diapering/Toileting Area Diapering/Toileting Area

31 Criteria for Setting Up the Environment Square Footage Square Footage Cribs Cribs Diapering/Toilet Area Diapering/Toilet Area Food Prep Area Food Prep Area Hand washing sinks Hand washing sinks Sinks Height Sinks Height Doors Doors Flooring Flooring Storage Storage Color Color Tables and chairs heights Tables and chairs heights Toy Shelves Toy Shelves

32 Diapering and Toileting Areas Set up so that you can see all children in room. Set up so that you can see all children in room. Set up close to hand washing sink. Set up close to hand washing sink. Away from food prep area and tooth brushing. Away from food prep area and tooth brushing. Storage for bleach solution, diapers, wipes, and extra clothing away from childrens reach. Storage for bleach solution, diapers, wipes, and extra clothing away from childrens reach. A safe changing table with smooth, easily cleaned surface and a raised rim and strap. A safe changing table with smooth, easily cleaned surface and a raised rim and strap. Steps on changing table for older toddlers. Steps on changing table for older toddlers. A lined diaper pail A lined diaper pail Child size toilet facility for toddlers with sink Child size toilet facility for toddlers with sink Paper towel holders and soap dispenser Paper towel holders and soap dispenser

33 Non-mobile infants Mobile Infants Toddlers Diapering area Diapering Area Toileting Area Food Prep Area Eating/Feeding Area Eating Area Feeding Area Play Area 1 sink Play Area Cribs/Cots 8 cots 8 Cribs (2 emergency) 2 tables – 8 chairs 2 Exits 2 sinks 2 Tables – 8 chairs 2 Exits Gross Motor Rocking Chairs Rocking chairs Dramatic Play Storage space Storage Space Art/Sensory Area Diaper Pails Literacy/Library Area ShelvesShelves Adult chairs

34 Environments Use hospital booties in infant rooms. Use hospital booties in infant rooms. Keep the room and floor clean Keep the room and floor clean Prevent chipped paint Prevent chipped paint Minimize the risk of injury by conducting daily safety check list. Minimize the risk of injury by conducting daily safety check list.

35

36

37